A new chapter from the Port Townsend world
Ethel is at work on her next project — more details to be shared here as it takes shape.
A Pacific Northwest Author
Worlds of mystery and imagination.
Ethel Steinmetz Marmont weaves two distinct literary worlds — rooted in the salt air and storytelling traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
Two Books · One Storyteller
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It begins in a fog-bound seaport, where every Victorian door hides a secret and the roses remember names no one dares speak.
Chapter One · A Supernatural Mystery
The Roses of Port Townsend
A Novel by Ethel Steinmetz Marmont
A missing husband. Secret rooms behind Victorian walls. A centuries-old vampire drawn to the scent of roses. An ancient pirate whose whispers carry on the seaport fog.
In a town where every door hides a story, one family discovers that the strongest magic of all is the bond between them — and that some doors, once opened, can never be closed again.
"Ye must read The Roses of Port Townsend before ye visits Port T. Ye knowledge may save ye from many fearful creatures." — The Pirate
The Pirate's Tale
He drives the story — and the mystery.
A swaggering figure stepped from the pages of maritime legend, the Pirate is as central to the novel as any living character. His weathered hat, his cutlass, his eerie whispers from the fog — they are the threads that bind the seaport's supernatural intrigue.
A captivating tale where elegance meets gripping adventure — a richly imagined Pacific Northwest mystery that rewards readers willing to follow its fog-laced threads.
Readers' Favorite
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And then — a different kind of adventure begins. One with eight legs, a brave heart, and a kitchen full of surprises.
Chapter Two · A Children's Tale
The Adventures of Vicant the Venomous
Illustrated by Jayme R.
A heartwarming children's story that celebrates bravery, friendship, and boundless imagination. Meet Vicant — a small spider with an enormous heart — as he tumbles through pantries, kitchens, and family adventures.
Along the way he proves what every brave-hearted reader already suspects: courage comes in every size, and the smallest among us often see the world most clearly.
A World of Small Wonders
Where pantries become palaces.
Brightly illustrated and gently told, Vicant's chapters are perfect for reading aloud — full of warm humor, tiny triumphs, and the kind of friendships that make the whole world feel a little less daunting.
About the Author
Ethel Steinmetz Marmont
A novelist whose work blends fantasy, mystery, humor, and thoughtful social commentary. After a distinguished career in public administration — culminating in a Master of Public Administration from The Evergreen State College — she turned her attention to writing stories that explore the quiet intersections of community, memory, and resilience.
Born in Montana and raised in Omak, Washington, Ethel's path traced the shores of the Salish Sea before a wedding-anniversary visit to Port Townsend lit the spark for her first novel. Today she lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with her husband Jim and their dachshund, Charlie.
"To write is to find the architecture within the silence."
Ethel S. Marmont
Gallery
An author's collection of inspiration.
Maps, character studies, Port Townsend photography, and promotional artwork — the visual world behind the writing.
Story Trailers
Glimpses of the worlds, in motion.
Featured Review
A captivating tale where elegance meets gripping adventure — a richly imagined Pacific Northwest mystery that rewards readers willing to follow its fog-laced threads.
Readers' Favorite
Read the full review →Where to Buy
Available through trusted independent & major retailers.
Ethel's books aren't sold directly through this site. Each title is available worldwide from Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with proud local stocking at two Inland Northwest bookstores.
A Supernatural Mystery
The Roses of Port Townsend
A Children's Adventure
The Adventures of Vicant the Venomous
Local stockists: Auntie's Bookstore — Spokane, WA · The Well-Read Moose — Coeur d'Alene, ID.
Author Updates
What's next.
News on upcoming books, library readings, bookstore appearances, and occasional writing notes from the Pacific Northwest.
Library & bookstore appearances
Author readings are being scheduled at libraries and independent bookstores across the Inland Northwest.
Behind the storytelling
Occasional notes on craft, inspiration, and the Pacific Northwest settings that shape Ethel's writing.
Commentary & opinion writing
Drawing on a career in public administration, Ethel continues to contribute opinion pieces to local publications.
Contact
Readers, libraries, and bookstores come say hello.
For event invitations, book club visits, library readings, signings, and reader notes, Ethel is always glad to hear from you.